Freemason Guide And Compendium

Book: Freemason Guide And Compendium by Bernard Jones

First published in 1950, the Freemasons' Guide and Compendium is filled with authentic, detailed information on a wide variety of subjects related to masons and masonry. Written by an experienced Freemason with the interests of rank-and-file members of the ordinary lodge in mind—especially the young Craftsman who wishes to learn the nature of Freemasonry's claim to have a history that goes back to ancient days—it provides key facts about masonic history, tradition, and lore. In doing so, the book offers a far greater scope of information than any other comparable work. And Bernard E. Jones critically examines conflicting ideas about how some of the traditions came to be, coming to conclusions of his own.

The book is divided into six main sections:

1-Operative Masonry and the London Company
2-Speculative Masonry
3-The Grand Lodges (1717 - 1813)
4-The Craft Degrees and Other Matters
5-The Lodge and Many Related Subjects
6-The Royal Arch, Mark Masonry, and Additional Degrees

There are also 31 illustrated plates, and numerous other illustrations throughout the text.

There is so much in the "Freemason' Guide and Compendium" that it is difficult to describe the breadth of its content, and yet for all its amazing content Worshipful Br. Jones continues to hele, conceal, and never reveal an. o. t. scs. ars. prts. o. r. pnts. of. th. hdn. msts. o. fmy.

The early chapters of Freemasons' Guide and Compendium describe how the masonic guilds arose in eleven-century England after the Norman conquest. From there Jones moves into the emergence of speculative Freemasonry in the late medieval period and exlpores its amazing growth as an esoteric system during the eighteenth century.

The major part of the book consists of a comprehensive, systematic presentation of information about masonry's customs, principles and tenets, words and phrases, lodge appointments and working tools, symbols and emblems. With the help of the guide and compendium, the Craftsman will have no difficulty in making daily progress in masonic knowledge, and the thorough, exhaustive index will help him to access a great story of knowledge.

As interest in the subject of Freemasonry continues to grow, as seen in the movie National Treasure and in Dan Brown's forthcoming book, the Freemasons' Guide and Compendium will be a valuable source of information for anyone who wants to research and understand the masons.

For any Master Mason the "Freemason' Guide and Compendium" is an essential addition to his personal library and to that of the Lodge. An absolutely outstanding book! Highly Recommended!

Bernard E. Jones (1879 - 1965), a Freemason of fifty years, living in Sussex, England, was widely recognized as a great authority on the history, beliefs and symbols of Freemasonry. In the "Freemason' Guide and Compendium" Worshipful Br. Jones has given us a most excellent and detailed reference to the Craft.

Buy Bernard Jones's book: Freemason Guide And Compendium

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Alan Wallace - Lucid Dreaming And Meditation
Shri Gurudev Mahendranath - Notes On Pagan India
Miac - Asatru And Odinism
Aleister Crowley - Freemason Letter On Crowley Status

Oto Under Crowley

Aleister Crowley served as the Outer Head of the Order from 1922 until his death in December of 1947. Crowley's first act as O.H.O. was to reconfirm the charters of Jones and Tranker as Grand Masters for North America and Germany, respectively. Tranker, on Jones's recommendation, invited Crowley to formally assume leadership of O.T.O. as well as of the various organizations included in the Pansophical movement, at a conference to be held at Hohenleuben, near Weida, in the summer of 1925. The other attendees of the conference were: Heinrich and Helene Tranker; Karl Germer (Saturnus, Jan. 22, 1885 - Oct. 25, 1962), at the time Tranker's secretary and publisher); Albin Grau; Eugen Grosche; Martha Kunzel; Henri Birven; a gentleman named Hopfer; Crowley; Crowley's associates Dorothy Olsen, Leah Hirsig, Norman Mudd; and others.

The results of the conference were mixed. The attendees were divided over Crowley's teachings and The Book of the Law, of which they had previously been largely unaware (it had only recently been translated into German). There were personality conflicts as well. Fraulein Kunzel and Herr Germer went with Crowley. Herrn Tranker, Grau, Hopfer and Birven decided to keep the Pansophical Lodge independent from the Master Therion. Herr Grosche originally sided with Crowley, but he and Germer quarreled, and Grosche decided to remain independent. After the closure of the Pansophical Lodge in 1926, Grosche regrouped a number of the ex-Pansophists to found the Fraternitas Saturni. Fraternitas Saturni recognized Crowley's status as a prophet, and accepted the Law of Thelema in a modified form; but Grosche insisted on keeping it independent from O.T.O. and under his own, rather than Crowley's, authority. Fraternitas Saturni continues to the present day in Germany, Canada and elsewhere, and does not represent itself as being O.T.O.

Tranker apparently attempted to lay claim to the title of O.H.O. of O.T.O. for himself in 1925, but it appears that he was not widely recognized as such and that he ceased his efforts in this direction by 1930, when he and H. Spencer Lewis began to work together directly (but unsuccessfully) to establish a German branch of A.M.O.R.C.

Recommended reading (pdf e-books):

Howard Phillips Lovecraft - The Silver Key
John Yarker - The Anglo Saxon Chronicle
Thomas Voxfire - What Was Aleister Crowley

Freemasonry And Sabaeanism

The doctrine of the Sabians, termed Sabaeanism or Sabianism, is a form of idolatry which consists in worshiping the sun, moon, and stars, in other words, heliolatry. Although the rituals of Freemasonry refer to the sun, moon, and stars, and their images are incorporated on masonic regalia, this is symbolism, not a form of worship.

As has been stressed throughout this FAQ, Freemasonry is not a religion... in any form. There is no part of worship in the rituals of Freemasonry, although a careless reading might suggest otherwise. Within Freemasonry, metaphor, simile, allegory and symbolism are the tools used to teach certain lessons. They are not instructions in worship, Sabaean or otherwise.

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Hermes Trismegistus - Book Xiv Of Operation And Sense
Sepharial - Astrology And Marriage
Pansophic Freemasons - Masonic Symbolism
Miac - Asatru And Odinism

The Freemasons What They Are What They Do What They Are Aiming At

Book: The Freemasons What They Are What They Do What They Are Aiming At by Louis Gaston De Segur

It is important to remember that this book was written in France in the year 1869. The author, Louis Gaston de Segur (1820-1881) was a French Bishop and French apologist. He dedicated himself to the evangelization of the people in Paris; the children, the poor, the imprisoned soldiers to whom he was the volunteer and gratuitous chaplain. Besides his apostleship and ministry he was also engaged in writing. Some of his writings were destined to make known or defend Catholic ideas concerning questions which occupied public attention; others to extend or to confirm his apostolate of preaching. The author intended his apologetic books for the people and for all who ignored religion. They were mostly brief pamphlets vigilant, full of vivacity and spirit, written with a frankness wholly French in a popular style, sprinkled with caustic irony. His zeal was crowned with success, his little books attained numerous editions. This book is a spirited, caustic, and very frank look at Freemasonry in 1869.

Contents:

The Name Freemason ---- There is Freemason and Freemason ---- What is the Secret of the Customary Recruiting of Freemasonry? ---- With what Ceremonies one is made a Freemason ---- First and Terrible Trial of the Apprentice Mason ---- The Three Journeys; a Second Trial of the Apprentice Mason ---- The Final Trials ---- The Oath ---- Of the Degree of Companion, the Second Masonic Degree ---- Of the Third Degree, the Degree of Master Mason ---- Of the High Degrees of Freemasonry ---- Of the High Degree of Judge-Philosopher-Grand-Commander-Unknown ---- Of the High Degree Knight Kadosch ---- Of the High Degree of Rosicrucian ---- Of True Freemasonry, which is Occult, and all Secret ---- Horrible Excesses Practiced by the Masons of the Back Lodges ---- What the Brothers of the Back Lodges Think and Say of, and Expect to do with, their Dear Brothers of the Exterior Lodges ---- How the Masons of the Back Lodges make use of, and Manage the Princes and Noblemen who Join Freemasonry ---- Does Masonry Love the Poor as it would have us Believe? ---- That Freemasonry is, in spite of its Sayings, Essentially Impious, Anti-Christian and Atheist ---- About Adoption by Freemasonry, otherwise Female Freemasonry ---- How Masonry Finds its Happiness in the worship of the Sun ---- The Masonic Press ---- That Freemasonry is Beginning to lay Hold on Youth by Means of Instruction and Education...

Buy Louis Gaston De Segur's book: The Freemasons What They Are What They Do What They Are Aiming At

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Solomonic Grimoires - The Greater Key Of Solomon Part 3 The Order Of The Pentacles
John Ankerberg - Satanism And Witchcraft The Occult And The West Part Ii
James Allen Chisholm - The Eddas The Keys To The Mysteries Of The North

Does Freemasonry Promote Ecumenism Or Syncreticism

No.

Ecumenism is defined as a Perspective representing the whole Christian world or seeking world-wide Christian unity. Syncretism is an attempt to unify or reconcile differing schools of thought or theology.

Freemasonry does not view itself as qualified to hold or promote any opinion on the beliefs of Christianity or any religion. Freemasonry requires its members to respect different religious views, not necessarily to accept them. It makes no attempt to reconcile differences of religion and belief, only to promote an Understanding of similarities.

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

John Dee - Five Books Of Mystery Mysteriorum Liber Tertius
John Dee - The Rosie Crucian Secrets
Albert Mackey - History Of Freemasonry Vol I Prehistoric Masonry

Freemasons For Dummies

Book: Freemasons For Dummies by Christopher Hodapp

Freemasons for Dummies is an excellent introduction to the mysteries of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. If you know nothing about Masonry and are perhaps curious about this ancient fraternity, Freemasons for Dummies will answer most of your questions. Even if you were made a Mason long ago and have many years of experience in the Craft, you will still likely find a thing or two of interest in the pages of this book.

Freemasons For Dummies is the internationally best-selling introduction to the Masons, the oldest and largest "secret society" in the world. This balanced, eye-opening guide demystifies Freemasonry, explaining everything from its elaborate rituals and cryptic rites, to its curious symbols and their meanings. Find out what goes on in a Masonic meeting. You'll understand the true purposes of Masonic "secrecy" and philosophy, meet famous Masons throughout history, and discover related organizations like the Knights Templar, the Scottish Rite, Order of the Eastern Star, and the Shriners. Explore the controversies and conspiracy theories that swirl around this organization at the center of Dan Brown's novel The Lost Symbol, and discover the changes coming to the Craft.

Freemasons for Dummies is written by Chris Hodapp, a Past Master of Masonic Lodges in Indiana, and a member of the Royal Arch Masons, Cryptic Masons, and the Knights Templar, along with many other accomplishments in Masonry. Chris Hodapp is certainly well qualified and knowledgeable about Masonry, and shares this knowledge in an enjoyable, easy to read writing style, that makes Freemasons for Dummies both informative and fun to read.

The book is divided into six major sections:

1. What Is Freemasonry ~ a history of Masonry, along with its philosophy and a discussion of some of ceremonies.
2. The Mechanics Of Freemasonry ~ explaining how Freemasons are organized, more about ceremonies, and the symbols of Freemasonry, along with a discussion of the myths and misconceptions surrounding the Masons.
3. Knights, Swords, Fezzes, And Dresses ~ discussing the appendant bodies of Freemasonry, such as the York and Scottish Rites, the Mystic Shrine, and the extended Masonic family.
4. Freemasons Today And Tomorrow ~ Is Masonry still relevant today? What is the future of the Masons? And... how to become a Mason yourself - 2B1Ask1.
5. The Part Of Ten ~ This section discusses 10 groups of famous Masons, 10 anti-Mason hoaxes and conspiracies, and 10 places of Masonic excellence: including the Freemason's Hall in Philadelphia, the Templar Church in London, and Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland.
6. Appendixes ~ Here we find the "Regius Manuscript", Anderson's Constitutions, and a list of the Grand Lodges throughout the United States and Canada.

While there are certainly much grander tomes written about the Craft of Freemasonry and its mysteries, Freemasons for Dummies should not be discounted as a serious reference. Freemasons for Dummies is well-written, informative, and highly recommended for anyone interested in the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.

I wouldn't have thought the subject matter would fit the "For Dummies" format very well, but it does. Although the book is encyclopedic in its coverage, it's always clear and lively, and it never takes itself too seriously. It's a fun and informative read, as well as a reference to return to. I recommend it as the best introduction to Freemasonry I've found.

Buy Christopher Hodapp's book: Freemasons For Dummies

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Anonymous - The Laws For Witches
Richard Weiss - Recipes For Immortality
Aleister Crowley - Songs For Italy

Isaak Newton And Secret Societies

Isaac Newton has often been associated with various secret societies and fraternal orders throughout history. Due to the secretive nature of such organizations, lack of supportive publicized material, and dubious motives for claiming Newton's Participation in these groups, it is difficult to establish his actual membership in any specific organization.

Regardless of his own membership status, Newton was a known associate of many individuals who themselves have often been labeled as members of various esoteric groups. It is unclear if these associations were a result of being a well established and prominently publicized scholar, an early member and sitting President of The Royal Society (1703–1727), a prominent figure of State and Master of the Mint, a recognized Knight, or if Newton actually sought active membership within these esoteric organizations himself. Considering the nature and legality of Alchemical practices during his lifetime, as well as his possession of various materials and manuscripts Pertaining to alchemical research, Newton may very well have been a member of a group of like minded thinkers and colleagues. The organized level of this group (if in fact any existed), the level of their secrecy, as well as the depth of Newton's involvement within them, remains unclear.

Though Newton was largely considered a reclusive personality and not prone to socializing, during his lifetime being a member of "Societies" or "Clubs" was a very popular form of interpersonal networking. Considering his esteemed social status, it is probable that Newton would have had a least some contact with such groups at various levels. He was most certainly a member of The Royal Society of London for the Improvement of Natural Knowledge and the Spalding Gentlemen’s Society, however, these are considered learned societies, not esoteric societies. Newton's membership status within any particular secret society remains verifiably allusive and largely speculative, however, it still lends itself to popular sensationalism.

Downloadable books (free):

Lynn Thorndike - A History Of Magic And Experimental Science
Aleister Crowley - His Secret Sin
Aleister Crowley - The Stratagem And Other Stories